Mining machine



Sept. 6, 1932. M. P. HOLMES 1,875,339

MINING MACHINE Filed March 18, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A; A-Mom- Sept. 6, 1932. M. P. HOLMES 1,875,339

MINING MACHINE Filed March 18, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 liwenior: 77207721112 flbZfizedi awf Patented Sept. 6, 1932 ED "STATES PATENT OFFICE MORRIS r. HOLMES, or onAnnMoNT; nE w nAmPsHIR-n, ASSIGNOIR. 'ro SULLIVAN nA-y QHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION, or MASSACHUSETTS l MINING MACHINE;

Application file d March 18, 1930. Serial No. 436,860. i

This invention relates to'improvements in mining machines,- and more particularly to.

improvements in flexible feeding means for coal mining machines ofthecontinuouscutte r, bottom cutting type. I

An object of'this invention is to provide an improved feedingmeans fora coal mining machine and more particularly toprovide improved fiexible feeding means for coal mining, machines of thecontinuous cutter, bottom cutting type. Another object is to' provide an improved flexible feeding means for a coal mining machine of the room-and pillar type having an improved arrangement of the feed operating and controlling members and the driving 'mechanism therefor whereby the machinev is rendered extremely compact both laterally and vertically, the feed operating and controlling members being arranged in'a novel manner within the lateral and vertical limits of the machine frame. Yet another object is to provide an improved feed mechanism for a coal mining machine of the room and pillar type whereby the machine is fed and guided in a more flex ible' and advantageous manner, and including improved transmission mechanism for driving the feed operating, and controlling mem bers whereby the latter may be rotated in a direction to draw in their respective feeding elements either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or relatively low speed and having embodied therein control-, ling mechanism for permitting rotation of; said members in a direction to pay out their respective flexible feeding elements under various degrees of'frictional resistance or without such resistance as condltions may require. These and other ob 'e'cts and advantages of this invention will, however,.

hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume inpractice.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan View of the bodiment of the improved coal mining machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

illustrative em? 1 Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional viewillustratingthe structural details of the improved feeding mechanism.

Fig- 4 is'a detail view taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 3.

stantially on line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

In this illustrative construction, the im-L. proved feeding means is shown embodied in a coal mining machine of the continuous cutter, bottom cutting, room and pillar type Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken sub although it is evident that the various novel features of the improved feeding means may be embodied in mining machines of various other types. This mining niachinegenerally an elongated plane cutter bar?) is suitably rigidly secured within the forward end of the machine frame and projects horizontally lengthwise of the machine as shown in Fig. 1.v Mounted on the margin of the cutter bar 3 is a usual endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 4. In the present construction, a rranged 1n a novel manner at the rear end of the machine and within lateral limits of the machine frame, are relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members 5 and 6' housed within recesses or chambers 7 and 8 atopposite sides of the machine. The feed operating and controlling members 5 and 6 are herein in the form of cable winding or haulage'drums with which feeding and'controllin cables 9 and 10 respectively cooperate. Carried by the machine frame is a centrally located motor. 11 of a low compact design which herein may be of the reversible electric type having itspower shaft l2.hori

zontally disposed and extending longitudinally ofthe machine. The cutter chain 4 is operativelyconnected to the front end of the motor shaft 12 through anysuitabletransmission means which may be of the same general character as that described in my pending application Ser. No. 179,357 filed .March 29, 1927, now matured into Patent- CO- v No. 1,815,873, patented July 21, 1931. The feed operating and controlling members 5 and 6 are operatively connected to the rear end of the shaft 12 through improved transmission means to be later described. Arranged at the opposite rear corners of the machine frame on upstanding axes are guide sheaves 13, 14, 15 and 16, while arranged centrally of the rear end of the machine frame guide sheave 17; D'isposedatthe opposite sides of the frontend of the machine frame are guide sheaves 18 and 1 9, The feeding and controlling cables 9 and 10', after passing around any preferred guide sheaves, may be extended in any preferred direction fromglthe machine and, attached to suitably positioned .anchors in the manner which is well understood in the mining machine :art. .N.0w .referri'ng =.to the improved feeding means and more particularly to the improved driving itnechanism therefor, it will be noted that fixed to thegrearend-o-f the motor shaft 12;is :nspu-r :pinion 20 meshing with a spur gear .23 (Fig. 5) mounted on a horizontal shaft arranged parallel with :the motor shaft andz'suitably ourna'led within the machine frame. Thespur gear:21 meshes with a spur gear. 221keyed to-:a longitudinally extending shaft 23 suitably journaled-withi n the lower part of the feed frame section. Fixed to theshaft 2-3-is :a worm24 meshing with a fast speed worm wheel 25;. As illustrated, rotatable :with the :gear :21 is a spur pinion s26 meshing with :aspu-r 27 keyed "to a horizental. longitudinally ex tending :shaft 28 arranged parallel with the shaft 23 and likeisejrsnitably journaled within the feed frame section. Fixed to the shaft '28 is a worm 29 ineshing with :a slow speed worm wheel 30, the Worm wheels :25and 30 beingdisposed in coaiiialrelation dnia horizontal axis'extend;

journaled zat iits ends within "anti-friction bearings supported by p-la-tes3l detachabl'y securedl'to the side's ofithe feed frame'section. ."lrhefastspeed 'worm wheel 25'is 'connecti'ble :to 'the shaift by a multiple disc clutch132 of 5a usual design having interleavedgclntch elements certain of which are carried by the worm wheel 'While' others are connected-to a clutch member 33 keyed to the shaft 31. The slowspeed worm wheel 30 1s' connectiblewi-ththe shaft 31 by a multiple idisc :cl utch 34 having interleaved clutch elmen'ts-Tcertainrof' which iare 'carried'l'by the. Woiim 'v'vheel "while'others'rare' carried *by :a

-" 'whemthe'zclutch 34r'is appliedland the clutch 32 is released the shaft 31 may be driven in the same direction at a relatively slow speed. Keyed to the shaft 31 is a spur pinion 36 meshing with a spur gear 37 keyed to a horizontal shaft 38. The shaft 38 is orranged parallel with the shaft 31 and is suitably -j-ourn-aled' within the feed frame section in advance of the shaft 31. Fixed to the shaft 38 is a spur gear 39 meshing with th'e'teethof an internal 'gearO herein formed integral with the feed drum 6. v

Now referring to the fast and slow speed driving means for the feed drum 5, it will be observed that the worm wheel 25 is connectible by a multiple disc clutch 41 to a clutch member 42 having a sleeve-like iportion surrounding the shaft '31 andsuitably :j ournaled within zantisfriction bearings supported by the shaft. Theclutch member '42 is connected as by a semi-permanent. clutch 43 to a similar:'c'lutch 1nember 44 vconnectible with the worm avheel 30 by means of :a multiple disc clutch45; The-clutch member 4a is likewise rotatably supported by anti-friction bearings carried by the shaft 31. Keyed :to the adjacent sleeve-like portions of the clutch members 42, 44 isaspur pinion 45 meshing with a spur gen-n46 keyed to :a horizontal shaft 47 alim'ed with the shaft 38 and likewise suitably join'naled within the feed frame sec- P tion of one or :the other of the friction clutdhes32,13li the feed drun1'6 may be driven inn-direction to draw ini-ts cooperating feed cable at either :a relatively high speed or a relatively low speed and :that upon :application of one OiI'='tl16-Ol3l1l of friction clutches 4 1, 45 the feed drum '5 ma'ybetdriven in Winding direction at similar speeds. It will also be noted that the feed drums 5 and -6 may be driven in .the above manner either separateq ly or *simultan'eously'and that the friction clutches imay' ibe :sufliciently released to perinit the-c'ables itounwind from their respectilvetl'rumszunder various degrees of frictional resistan'ce.

from anyi frictional resistance. due to the ac tion of 1 the fraction clutches.

The :danproned "operating means for the sereral friction clutches will now be described. Encircling-the outer 'hub portions of the worm wheels:25, J30are cylindrical linzeesanetplates 50zand .51 respectively having fingers -projectingthrough apertures in the end! plates of the Worm wheels into engagement with the adjacentend discs of the clutehes232, 34. :Siini'lar.pressure plates 52 and 53'encirclethe innerzadjacent hub .por tions of the worm wheels and have similar 7 Upon-release of the friction clutches it-hiedrums may be entirely relieved adjacent end discs of the friction clutches 41 anism extremely compact. -The 3 of the pressure plates 50and'51 respectively.

These shipper yokesihave arm portions 56 connected together by a transverse link 57; the ends of the link being pivotally connected to the arms of theshipper yokes. The

shipper yoke 54 is keyed to a vertical shaft 58 having secured thereto at itsupper end at the top of the machine frame a control lever 59. A siniilarshippcr'yoke 59* is provided for operating the pressure plates 52 and 53. This shipper yoke is fixed to a vertical shaft 60 having fixed thereto at its upper end an operating lever 61. It will thus be seen that the operating mechanism for the sets of clutches 32, 34 and 41, 45 is so arranged that only one clutch of each set can be applied at one time, thereby preventing simultaneous application of the clutches of each set. p

As above referred to, the drums 5 and 6 are arranged Within recesses or chambers 7 and 8 formed within the sides of the feed frame section, the drums being disposed within the lateral limits of the machine frame thereby rendering the feeding mechbearing structure for each drum is substantially identical and comprises a-stub shaft 62 formed integral with a plate 63 detachably secured to the vertical side wall of the feed frame section. This stub shaft'supports anti-friction bearings and the drum is composed'of two parts bolted together to form an internal chamber 64 in which the bearing structure is housed. Various modes of operation of the improved feeding means will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art and as the method ofuse of a room and pillar coal mining machine is well known, a description o'f'the general mode of operation thereof is thought unnecessary.

As a result of this invention will be noted that an improved feeding means is provided for a coal mining machine of the continuous cutter, bottom cutting type whereby the machine is fed and guided in an improved, more flexible, and efiicient manner. It will further be noted that an improved flexible feeding'means is provided for a coal mining machine of the room and 'pillar type wherein a plurality of relative 1y rotatable feed operating and controlling members are employed for feeding and guiding the machine and improved driving means for said members whereby the machine is not only rendered extremely compact both vertically and laterally, but also due to the arrangement of the drums and the driving mechanism therefor, is rendered extremely flexible in operation. It will still further be evident that due to the improved arrangement of the feed drums it is possible, by a simple rearrangement-of the feed cables, to feed the machine in either direction relative to the coal face in accordance with the room and pillar method of mining. These and other advantages of the improved mining machine will be clearly apparent to those skilled in this art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the in vention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means therefor including a fast speed mechanism and a slow speed mechanism having final fast and slow speed driving elements through which either member may be driven, and clutch mechanism within said driving elements for connecting either member in driving relation with the final driving element of either mechanismor for connecting one member to one driving element while the other member is simultaneously connected to the other driving element.

2. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for effecting rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train having final fast and slow speed driving elements through which either member may be driven, and clutch mechanism within said driving elements for connecting either member in drivingrelation with the final driving element of either gear train or for connecting one member to one driving element while the other memberis simultaneously connected to the other driving element.

3. A mining'machine feedingmechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members eachadapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving'means therefor for effecting rotation thereof either" separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train having fast and slow speed driving, elements through which either member may be driven, and clutch mechanism within said driving elementsfor connecting either member in driving relation with the final driving element of either gear train or for connecting one member to one driving element while the other member is simultaneously connected to the other driving element. 2

including re .tively rotatable feeding meml .-'bers fiZlCl'llZlCllPllBCl to cooperate directly with flexible fee-ding means, and motor operated driving means for said inember-s including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train, said gear trains each including a final driving element and clutch mechanism with-f in said driving elements operable to, effect drive of either member through the final driving element of .one gear train or through the final driving element ofthe other or to effect drive of one member through the final driving element of one gear train while driving of the other member is simultaneously effected through the final drivingelement of the other-gear, train. A

2 -5. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feedingmembers :each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding-means, and motor operated Y driving means for said members including .a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train, said gear-trains including final drivingelements and clutch mechanism within said driving elements. operable to: .efiect drive of either member athrou hsone 'ear train or:

"throughthe otherer to veffect drive of one member through the final driving element of one-gear train Whileidriving'iof the other member is simultaneously effected through the final driving element of the other gear train, said clutch" mechanism within .said

driving elementsincluding friction control-- ling clutches operable to connect either member in driving relation with the final driving element of either gear train: V

6. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding anembers each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train, said trains including coaxial terminal elements one individual to :each train, relatively rotatable concentric elements coaxial with said terminal elements and connected to d-rive'said feeding members, and clutches within said terminal elements forconnecting either terminal element with either concentric element or for connecting one terminal element to one concentric element while the other terminal element is simultaneously connected to the other-concentric element.

7. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to-cooperate directly with flexible feeding means,.and motor operated driving means for said members includinga'fast speed gear 'itrainLand aslow speed gear train, said trains including :coaxial terminal elements one individual to each- :train, .rela' tiVely rOtatab'le concentrlc elements coaxial with said terminal elements, clutches Within .7 said terminal elements for connecting either 4. 'A zml-nmg machine feedmg mechanlsnr driving means for said members for effecting rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train, each train including a terminal gear, and friction clutches one in each gear train for each member and arranged; within said terminal gears for connecting said members in drivingrelation with either terminal gear.

9. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted-to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving meansfor said membersfor effecting rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in a direction tov draw in their respective flexible feeding means including a fast speed gear trainland a slow speed gear train, eachtrain including a terminal gear and said gears being coaxially arranged, and friction clutches one in each gear train for each member and arranged within said terminal gears for connecting said members in driving-relation with either terminal gear.

10. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and motor operated driving means for said members for effecting rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in a. direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including a fast speed gear train and aslow speed gear train, each train including a terminalgear rotating on a horizontal axis, and friction clutches "one in each gear train for each member and arranged within said terminal gears for connecting said members in driving relation with either vterminal gear,

11. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members foreffecting rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including a fast speed gear train andaslowyspeed gear train, each train including a terminal gear rotating on aafhorizontal. transversely extendingaxis, and friction clutches "one in each" gear train for each member and arranged within said terminal gears forconnecting said members in drivingrelation with either! 5 terminal gear:

flexible feeding means,

taneously in a direction to draw in theirrespective flexible feeding means including" parallel longitudinally extending shafts,

shaft coaxial with said wormywheels, and

clutch devices for connecting either worm' wheel in driving: relation with either feedlng 20 member'or for connecting one member in driving relation with one worm wheel while the other member-is simultaneously connected in driving relation with the other worm Wheel, certain of said clutch devices connecting either worm wheel in driving relation with said shaft. i

13. A mining machine'feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members for eifecting rotation thereof either: separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including parallel. longitudinally extending shafts, worms driven'by said shafts, worm wheels meshing with said worms respectively,-relatively rotatable elements arranged I coaxia'lly with said worm wheels, and clutch devices for connecting either worm'wheel in driving relation with either of said relatively rotatable elements.

14. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with including relatively rotatable feeding memflexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members for effecting rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including parallel longitudinally extending shafts, worms driven by said shafts, worm wheels meshing with said worms respectively, relatively rotatable elements arranged coaxially with said worm wheels, and clutch devices for connecting either worm wheel in driving relation with either of said relatively rotatable elements, and driving connections between said relatively ,rotatable elements and said members respectively.

15. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members for effecting l fast speedworms driven by said shafts, worm wheels meshing with said worms respectively, a

" bers each adaptedto cooperate directly with rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously-in a direction to draw in theirrespective flexible feeding means including alined shafts one connected to each member, a gear trainand a slow speed gear, train each including'a terminal gear arranged onan axis parallel'to said shaft axes, relatively rotatable elements coaxial withsaid terminal gears, driving connections betweenjsaid relatively rotatable elements and said alinedi shafts respectiveiy, and clutch devices withinlsaid terminal gears for connectin'geither terminal gear in driving relation with either of said relatively rotatable elements.

-16. A mining machine feeding mechanism I including relatively rotatable feedingmemflexible feeding means, and motor operated drivi'ng means for said members for effecting rotation thereof either separately or simul- "train, said gear trains including coaxial relatively rotatable termmal-gearsfand a plurality oflfriction clutches within each terminal gear for connecting either gear in driving'relation with either member.

17.1A mining'machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members for eifecting rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed ear -train, said gear trains each including a final driving element common to the drive ofboth of said members, and clutch mechanism within said driving elements operable to effect drive of one of said members at relatively high speed While said other member is driven at relatively low speed and vice versa.

18. A mining machine feeding mechanism bers each adapted to cooperate directly with flexiblefeeding means, and motor operated V drivingmeans for said members for effecting rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their-respectiveflexible feeding means includinga fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train,

driving element common to the drive of both of said members, and clutch mechanism within said driving elementsoperable to effect drive of one of said members at relatively said gear trains each including afinal gofsa d members, and clutch mechan sm th- "including g'relatively;rotatablefeeding mem r ota-tion thereof either separately; or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means includ ng a fast. speedgear trainand a slowspeed-gear v includi grrelatirelyt-rotatableziieedmg 'memi crl ea hadaptedtocoopenate directly with:

train said :gear trains each including a final driving-element common to, the drive of both in said driving elements operable toeffect drive o fone of said members at relatively 15. .icontrollableto permit rotation of said memhigh speed-Whilesaid other member is driven at relatively low speed and vice-versi and hers in a direction to pay; out ;-their respecstive-flexiblefeeding means under various degige es of frictional-resistance or without. such resistance.

.A, mining machine feeding mechanism including; relatively rotatable feeding mem- M'fle lel fe ding-1 eaus,.andm0tor zoperated connecting either; member indrivingrelation bers each adapted to cooperate directly with driving'means therefor including a fast speed jmechan sm and ;a .slow *speedmechanism -throughwvh1ch elther member may be driven,

said mechanismsincluding final driving ele- I -ments arranged in on axial, relation,- and clutch mechanism within said driving: elements for with the final ,drivi-ng ,element :of either- -mecl a nism or forconnectingione member .=to one 'drivingelement While the othermember .is simultaneously;connected:to:.the otherdriv- --ing element. v v

, 2 1. A mini-ngvmachineifeeding mechanism including relatively irotatablei-feeding unem- -ber s 'QaQl1 S Cla;ptd;llO cooperatedirectly with 1 flexible {feeding means, ,and 'motor operated driving means for effecting rotation thereof either sep arately, orsimultaneously including a fast speed! geartrain and a slowispeed-gear train through which either member may be driven, said gear t ains including ifinal d-rivwingelements .ari'angedincoaxial. relation, and clutch mechanism ::within said driving .elemerits :for connecting either member in drivflexible feeding means,,and;motor operated driving means for sald Vmembers lncludlng fastispeedl ;gea rtrain andia slow speed @gear 1 train, asaid gear :gtlliilIlS ncluding final drivi g rel mcntsar anged in coaxial relation,

andgclntchzmechanism Within said driving elements Honorable t) cfl'ect drive-10f either ilnember throughathe final-driving element of on g ar-train or ithrQl gh'fj e final driving member to one rdriNingelement while the other member -:is simultaneously connected to the otherid-riving element. c

124;. ,A, miningzmachine feedingrmcchanism s in luding relatively rotatable feeding 1 mem bers each adapted to cooperate. directly with gfl xible feeding imeans,.-;and =motor operated 1 ,ing rmeansaforxsaid members vincluding a fast speed gear train andraa slow speed gear iatraim said gear :trains including final driv-' i ingelementsyalrranged:in-coaanalrelation and cln chem hanism operable yt-opefi'ect. drive of .either member through one =gear train -or sthrongh the vother, ifiilld clutch mechanism ncludingfriction controlling clutches with- ,saiddriving elements: operable to connect :either ;=I,nember in {driving relation with :the

,final driving element {of either gear train ion-for connectmgeone memberto one driving element hile :the other .member is simultaneously connected to; the other driving element. 7

flnzt stimony whereof \Lafiix my: signature.

' .MQRRIS 5P. HOLMES.

zing relatiol With-the final'driv-ing element of Y "loo 

